In about 2004, when these new MINI "things" were on the road for a while I started becoming curious. I didn't know anyone who owned one and I had never seen one up close, but the occasional passer by sure did catch my attention.
In 2006, I saw, what I know now as an R53, for sale at a Toyota dealership. I stopped and got a good long look for the very first time. I can still remember putting my hands to my face to block the sun so I could see inside. I stood in front of it just looking and walked around it a few times. I was thinking how damn cool that little bastard was and I wanted it. I decided right then and there that I wanted it. The problem was, I had just moved to another state and I really wasn't in the financial position to buy it.
In 2010, I spotted a Liquid Yellow R53 at an Infinity dealership. I was ready to buy and I went in for a test drive. I got in that car, turned the key, put it in first gear, pressed the gas pedal and.......what? This thing moved like beaten dog! Where's the fun? Where's the quickness? It just wasn't there. Turns out, the clutch was shot and I was promised a call promptly after it was fixed. I never got that call and I kind of lost interest after my first disappointing drive in a MINI.
In 2015, I had a Ford Ranger that's days were numbered. I traded it for a 2002 R50 in the same condition. I just wanted to drive it around for a little while to see if it reignited my interest. I did. It definitely did. I sold it and searched for a few months until I found a 2005 Pure Silver R53 with 54,000mi. with an asking price of $6,500. It was out of state, 3 hours away. When I got there, the guy made the fatal error of tipping his hand. He confessed that he was in a hurry to sell it so he could buy a truck that he desperately needed for work. I bought it that day for the price of $5,000 and it still sits in my driveway. March will be one year of ownership.

What's your story?

 

I've always loved classic Minis. Significant other won't ride in one if I DD it, so I got an R53 because it's the only generation I consider an acceptable homage to the original.

I'll get a real one eventually.

 

I've been eyeballing classics, myself.........one day...

 

...careful, like potato chips or peanuts, you can't just eat one.

My collection seems to keep growing...

And Yes, I would really like to get my hands on an original MINI done up like Paddy Hopkirk's Red and White 1964 Monty Carlo Rally winner.

Motor on!

 

I have too many motorcycles to think about getting another fair weather vehicle. Right now I have three options when the sun is out, and one option when it's not. As you know, in south central PA that means I get a choice for about 6 months a year if I'm lucky.

 

Oh, I know. Shortly after I bought mine, we went and bought one for my wife!

 

My story was that I drove my Miata into the ground (and loved every second, well, except when it rained--it leaked like a civ). I needed a car, I couldn't and wouldn't buy brand new. I was spending a lot of time on cars.com. At first I was thinking of an Element, to carry drums around. I couldn't find one in my price range that didn't have 110K+ miles on it. I started thinking about MINIs and did some research, A lot of my reading was done here. I learned that an S is the way to go for how I'd like to drive. I also learned that the '05 and '06 were the 1st gens to but. I focused there. I knew I would only buy a 6-speed. I missed out on a couple convertibles, and a hard top or 2 as well. I added Auto Trader to my search and found Rupert in the St Louis area with 68K miles. British Racing Green Metallic with black top and strips was a bonus. I love green, and have never owned a green car.

 

My first MINI, '02 justa, was british racing green and I really loved that color.

 

I've always admired them but never thought about owning one. I thought of them being in the same category as a VW Bug, just a fun 'little' car for get'n around in. Several years ago I was needing a car. I've never been stuck on any one particular brand. I like different. My cars have always been a little out of step with the rest of the automobile world. A MINI dealership had recently opened here in Tucson and my wife suggested we give one a try. I was expecting an economy car experience and had no idea what was in store. Before we were out of the dealership parking lot for a test drive I knew I was going to have one of these neat little cars. I read a comment once by a former Porsche 911 owner: "The Mini is 80% of the fun for 20% of the cost". I agree.

 

I had a 1990 Miata, loved that car. Just wasn't great as a DD. The Mini handles like garbarge compared to that car.

 

The last couple months I've been looking at a newer car since my 2002 Subaru WRX has racked up 220k miles. Primarily my SO drives it to work each day, 60mi a day. It still runs like a champ but it's starting to wear out. A new rattle or sensor replacement every few months to fix. I didn't want to be in a position if something catastrophic did happen that we'd be without a car for her.

I didn't want a new car, because really I don't want a car payment. I've owned Subaru's since 2004 and know my way around them, so I'd been trying to land a Legacy GT but struck out 2x. Plus she loves the WRX, and it's fairly similar. My mind strayed a bit into EVO, new WRX land but again payment and the insurance quotes. One day browsing good old craigslist I was thinking about other cars that she may like. I know she liked Mini, we always sat in one every year at the car show. Typed in Mini Cooper, and a 2006 MCS popped up with 58k miles for $5,900.

Met the owner, saw the car. It had a xenon headlight out and the seats were in bad shape. I offered $5,200 as I figured that's what I would need to put into it to get it back to the condition I'd like it for it to be in. Owner wouldn't budge a cent. We left and then 5 days later the owner said if I wanted it for $5,200 come get it. We got it. I'm on week 3 of ownership and am $450 in replacement parts, (new to me seats, xenon igniter, bulb, passenger seat weight pad bypass box). I still have to do redo the headliner, possibly pick up a diagnostic device to clear the airbag light. It'll probably put me at the asking price once I'm done. Learning a lot about these cars as I go.

 

11 years ago when I was 15 I rode in my cousin's new to him R53, ever since then I have wanted one, drove several, my dad even owned a 2011 MCS for a while. Well finally at the age of 26 I bought my R53, 30th car I have owned (I feel like I have owned just about everything at this point...). I figured the only way to get over this R53 craving is to own one, only time will tell if that makes it better or if I end up with a driveway full of MINIs lol.

 

Well, after I got mine, we got one for my wife and I troll craigslist daily for a possible third.

 

Trolling Craigslist is the best. Cheap bikes, cheap cars, cheap parts.

I'm always on the hunt for oddball stuff like F2T powered Probes and MX6s or NA8 powered Escorts and Proteges.


My Miatas name was Hank, but it had a "Little Bastard" badge on it.

 

What? Where'd you find a little bastard badge?

 

I had a friend with a vinyl cutter make it. "Badge" is a generous description but I did replace the Mazda badge on the back with it, I'll have to dig up a picture.

 

I used to do this with GTIs and E30s, almost always owned as pairs.

 

 

I like it! I found a couple on eBay yesterday..

 

I love it, too.
I like the handling of the MINI, but loved the Miata too. If I hadn't lost my garage, I'm sure the Miata would have been in better shape.

I miss rear wheel drive.

 

My story started back in the summer of 2002. I was 18 years old and fresh out of high school, I had grown up in the car business as my Dad had been a finance manager for years at our local BMW dealer. Once I got out of school I went straight to work at the BMW store as my Dad promised me a job when school over. I had always been into cars and at the time the whole "Fast and Furious" movies we're really ramping up, so like many other young kids my age I fell into the Honda scene as at the time I owned a 94 Integra and loved that car.

During my first month at BMW they had just finished the Mini side of the building as they divided the showroom in two separate stores. I had seen the old school Mini's in movies and what not, but had no clue they were being reintroduced. So I remember that morning when the very first truck load of Mini's rolled in and was just stoked about the car. I was lucky as I was giving the task to take that whole load and fill each one up with gas! I had never had so much fun as I did driving those cars. My Dad ended up buying the first Mini S that we had received that day which was a all Black 6 spd manual. I drove his from time to time when he would let me, then he bought a new R56 when they first came out and I just didn't enjoy that car as much as the R53. Fast forward to now and after many fast cars and play toys through out the years I finally decided to pull the trigger and get me one seeing as I wanted something different! And love every minute of it! It's a 2006 R53 in Chili Red with only 70,000 miles and very well maintained at the local store I worked at many moons ago!

 

Great story, Minime84!

 

By chance, it was... 2 months ago I was home sick with the flu. Going through a pile of mail I found a flyer about a giveaway at the local used car dealer. Had a scratch off and said I won a TV. Since I was off I decided to go claim my prize and was going to half heartedly look at the inventory. I had a 2001 Legacy GT with 245k on the clock and still going strong but had no rear bumper, no PS and battery was going. There was an 06' 2dr with 50k on it but didn't start well and sound like issues. As I was leaving I saw a big blue countryman S. Dealer said "you don't want that, its manual". Got in an loved it, and love manual cars. Price was steep, asking was 19k with 84,000 miles but was spotless inside and out. After negotiations I left without a deal. Some hours later I got a call and they met my substantially lower offer price. Went home with it that night and currently searching the interwebs for another for my fiancée.


Always loved 4wd small cars. My heartbreak was when my 15' Suzuki SX4 got totaled by a drunk driver last October. Lift kit, big tires and rally lights, Loved it! We then had a 16' Mitsubishi outlander sport, great priced car but engine/trans/mileage sucked and never got better. Ended up trading that in for an Equinox same night we got the Countryman. Bigger car, bigger engine, better mileage and way better ride for less $$. That was a great deal as well.

 

"you don't want that, it's manual"? He must be crazy!

 

I tried not to laugh when he said it. He asked what was so funny, I just got in the car with a smile.